Conduit-bending machines



July 30, 1968 W. C. ROSE CONDUIT-BENDING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 14, 1966 I I I I I I I l I I l l\ l I I I I Fly. 3

MY/fam C Rose INVENTOR.

July 30, 1968 w. c. ROSE 3,394,571

CONDUIT-BENDING MACHINES Filed April 14, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lVlY/fam C. Pose INVENTOR.

BY Am Agent United States Patent 3,394,571 CONDUIT-BENDING MACHINES William C. Rose, 194 Shore Road, PittsburghyCalif. 94565 Filed Apr. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 542,689 8 Claims. (Cl. 72159) This invention relates to bending equipment, and more particularly to apparatus of the roll type adapted to the forming of metallic rods, tubes, pipes, conduit and the like into curves of preselected radii and angular extent.

Although the state of the art reveals a number of similar devices to that of the present invention, they are usually equipped with forming dies of split construction, or other design which makes it impossible to automatically and quickly release and eject a formed piece of material.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide a device which can be set to automatically control the extent of the curvature of a piece being formed.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device adapted to automatically release and eject a finished piece while the device is still in motion.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a device which can be used to produce different radii of curvature, and which can be adjusted for different diameters of the material to be formed.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is an elevation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention as viewed from the loading end.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevation, similar to FIG. 1, showing the device after having been rotated through an angle of 180 degrees.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, detailed elevation of the assembly of the conduit locking, releasing and ejecting mechanism, as viewed on FIG. 1.

FIGURE 4 is a typical, enlarged section of the forming drum or roll, as taken on line 44 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 5 is a section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an elevation of the mechanism illustrated by FIG. 3, as viewed from line 6 6 of FIG. l.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged section taken on line 77 of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the locking, releasing and ejecting element as seen from line 88 of FIG. 6.

Referring to the drawing in detail, a rotary drum or roll 10, fixedly mounted on a drive shaft 11, is provided with a plurality of conduit receiving steps 12, 13 and 14, as can be clearly seen by reference to FIG. 4. Each step is provided with a relatively shallow, conduit-receiving recess to ensure proper tracking of the material to be formed. The depth of these recesses, however, is such that the inherent spring of a formed piece, upon release, can be freely removed from the particular step upon which it has been placed. As will be noted on FIG. 1, the drum 10 comprises somewhat less than a complete circle, the periphery being terminated on said figure, immediately beyond a vertical median line, at a point 10a. The curvature of the lower half of the drum, as shown on FIG. 1, terminates coincident with the vertical median line, the steps then continue, as indicated, tangent to the curved portions of said steps for a relatively short distance. The portions of steps 12 and 13 are terminated by an opening 16 in the drum 10.

At the portion of the drum 10 where the conduit supporting steps 12, 13 and 14 follow straight lines from the points of tangent with the curved sections thereof, vertical bracket-mounting pads or walls 17 and 18, extending up- 3,394,571 Patented July 30, 1968 wardly and downwardly respectively, have been provided as indicated. Due to the offset relationship of the steps of the drum 10, these pads are, therefore, axially offset as can be seen on FIGS. 6 and 7.

In the interest of clarity, the side of the drum, as viewed on FIG. 1, the conduit-receiving side, will be referred to hereinafter as the front side, while the side from which the drive shaft 11 extends, will be referred to as the back or rear side.

Adjustably mounted on the pads 17 and 18, on the rear side of the drum, are angle brackets 19 and 20 respectively. These brackets, as will be seen by reference to FIG. 6, are provided with rearwardly extending legs, which terminate in vertical coplanar relationship with one another, and which are provided with vertically aligned apertures for the reception of a pivot pin 21.

The pin 21 is designed for vertical adjustment, and can be fixedly secured in any position within the range of travel of a pair of positioning and locking nuts 22. An additional locking nut 23 can be provided at the upper end of the pin 21 if deemed necessary. A concentric collar 24, located intermediate the angle brackets 19 and 20, is provided on the pin to form a seat for a combined assembly of a locking, releasing and conduit ejecting mechanism as indicated in detail on FIGS. 3, 6 and 8. This mechanism comprises a bushing or sleeve 25, which is pivotally mounted on the pin 21, and which rests upon the shoulder of the collar 24. Fixedly secured to the exterior side of the bushing 25, by welding or other suitable means, is a combination latch and stop lever 26, adapted to the locking and automatic releasing of the lengths of conduit being formed.

The latch 26, which in the illustrated embodiment is formed from a piece of steel plate, lies, in its conduit locking position, in a plane normal to that of the axis of the conduit it holds in place. FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 6 and 8 all show the latch 26 in the locking position. FIG. 8 also shows, in phantom, how the latch, pivoting on the pin 21, releases a section of formed material. With particular reference to FIG. 6, it will be noted that the latch 26 is provided with an opening 27 which bears a specific relationship to the steps of the drum 10, with regard to both form and location. The three concave portions 28 of the edge of the opening 27, are concentric with the center lines of conduit which may be placed in position on the respective steps of the drum 10. This can be clearly seen by the illustrations, in phantom, of the outline of a section of conduit in place on the step 12. The radius of the curves of the edge portions 28 are such that, when the latch is in the position indicated, the said portions will bear against the couplings which are mounted on the ends of the conduit to be formed, and holding these couplings in place against the recesses or depressed tracks of the drum steps and their adjacent vertical walls, will ensure the desired locking action necessary for the successful operation of the device. The remainder of the opening 27 is merely formed to afford adequate clearance between the edge of this portion and the couplings, to ensure free pivotal movement of the latch.

Extending rearwardly from the latch 26, is a releasing lever 29. This portion 29 of the latch 26 is indicated as being bent inwardly, reference being made to FIG. 8. The angle of deflection will be governed by the amount of rotation of the latch 26 necessary to release said latch, and to allow the continued turning of the drum, and which will permit the lever 29 to swing clear of a fixed stop S, the stop being located as found most expedient for a particular operation.

Secured to the inside of the latch 26 are ejecting fingers 30, one for each step of the drum 10. These fingers are so formed and located, that, as the latch operates to release a section of conduit, the one in line with the conduit being formed will push the said conduit free of the drum. All fingers swing through the opening 16 of the said drum, and assume a position similar to that of the finger shown in phantom on FIG. 8.

With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the opening 16 is bridged by a stepped crossmember 31, a detailed section of which is depicted on FIG. 7. The outer faces of this cross-member are coplanar with, are virtually interrupted extensions of the respective conduit bearing faces of the drum steps shown on FIG. 4. Also with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be noted that the opening 16, on the outer side of the cross-member 31, is of increased width to accommodate the couplings when either of the two outer steps is being used.

While the steps of the drum have been indicated as being designed to accommodate a specific diameter of conduit, it has been found that conduit of a size smaller can just as effectively be processed. In order to utilize the device for the smaller size of conduit, the combined latching and ejecting mechanism is adjusted upwardly, the required amount by manipulation of the pin positioning and locking nuts 22, a space 32, as indicated of FIG. 6, permitting such adjustment to be effected. It should be further noted that the latch 26 is adapted to contact a coupling at its remote end, and therefore, as a standard coupling on a smaller diameter of conduit will be somewhat shorter than that of the larger size, adjustment of the latch inwardly can be made, elongated holes 33 in angle brackets 19 and 20 making provision for such adjustment.

In operation, the drive shaft is attached to a suitable source of power, the complete assembly being mounted on a bench or other suitable foundation. With the drum in position, as shown on FIG. 1, a length of conduit C, with a coupling attached to one end thereof, as indicated, is placed in position on the particular step of the drum to form a bend of the required radius. The latch will then be closed to engage the end of the coupling and hold same firmly in place on the drum. The edge of the inner end of the coupling will be engaged by the cross-member 31, ensuring driving movement of the conduit, coincident with the rotation of the drum step upon which it is mounted.

Upon rotation through a required angle, as determined by the position of the stop S, the formed piece will be automatically released and ejected, as has already been described, and this without the necessity of stopping the machine.

It will be apparent that this last mentioned feature insures a mode of operation which is both foolproof and dependable, as it is entirely automatic in operation, and therefore, does not require the constant and close attention of an operator, as would otherwise be the case. The machine can be stopped at any time and set up for the next cycle of operations. It should be further understood that while the instant embodiment was designed primarily for field production of the sections of conduit used in light standards, and referred to in the trade as goosenecks, its application is not limited nor restricted to such use, as it may be incorporated in the design of more elaborate machines embracing the features claimed herein. Also, further modifications may be made within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A conduit bending machine comprising rotatable means adapted to form conduit around the periphery thereof, means for locking said conduit to said rotatable means and being further adapted to automatically release said conduit, and means for automatically ejecting said conduit from said rotatable means.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said rotatable means comprises a drum having a conduit receiving step 0n the periphery thereof, said step being formed with a relatively shallow conduit tracking recess.

3. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a latch, pivotally mounted for rotation from a conduit locking position to a conduit releasing position.

4. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a latch, pivotally mounted for rotation from a conduit locking position to a conduit releasing position, said locking means being adjustably mounted on said rotatable means.

5. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said ejecting means comprises a finger, pivotally mounted for rotation from a position closely adjacent to said conduit to a position of displacement of said conduit.

6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said ejecting means comprises a finger, pivotally mounted for rotation from a position closely adjacent to said conduit to a position of displacement of said conduit, said ejecting means being adjustably mounted on said rotatable means.

7. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said rotatable means comprises a drum having a plurality of conduit receiving steps on the periphery thereof, said steps being provided with relatively shallow conduit tracking recesses.

8. A conduit bending machine comprising a rotatable drum having a conduit receiving step on the periphery thereof, said step being provided with a relatively shallow conduit tracking recess, a conduit locking and releasing latch pivotally mounted on said drum, an ejecting finger pivotally mounted on said drum, said latch and said finger being simultaneously adjustable in directions parallel with and transverse with the axis of a conduit mounted on said step.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS CHARLES W. LANHAM, Primary Examiner. 

1. A CONDUIT BENDING MACHINE COMPRISING ROTABLE MEANS ADAPTED TO FORM CONDUIT AROUND THE PERIPHERY THEREOF, MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID CONDUIT TO SAID ROTATABLE MEANS AND BEING FURTHER ADAPTED TO AUTOMATICALLY RELEASE 